Bus
Bus Eireann provide services to County Offaly from Dublin, Waterford, Galway and other counties.
For further information on bus services telephone:
01 8366111 ( Dublin)

Rail
The Dublin / Galway line serves Co. Offaly with stations at Tullamore and Clara.
For further information on rail services, telephone:
01 8266222 ( Dublin) or
0506 21431 (Tullamore).

Sea
Ireland is linked to Britain and Europe by a number of car-ferry routes. The main ports of entry are Cork, Dublin and Rosslare - all of which are between 1.5 and 3 hours drive from Portlaoise.

Airports

Dublin Airport is situated approximately 6 miles outside the city centre. It is capable of catering for all major trans-Atlantic and world-wide jet aircraft, and is at present undergoing a major re-development. The Dublin-London route is now the busiest route in Europe even surpassing the London-Paris route. Dublin is now the seventh fastest-growing airport in the world, according to Aer Rianta. 01 8141111

Car Rental Agencies

Taxi Companies

Aircraft Hire

Hotels

Flat Rental Agencies

Office Rental Agencies

 RURAL

Countryside
The landscape of Offaly is dominated by bogs, notably the Bogs of Allen and Boora. Boora is the site of a significant archaeological find.


Clara Bog
An unspoiled raised bog boasting rare species of moss and lichen. Very few raised bogs remain today due to the use of peat for domestic fuel and fertiliser.


Slieve Bloom Mountains
Located in South Offaly, a short distance from Birr, Slieve Bloom has 17 major valleys, blanket bogs, and hundreds of kilometres of accessible forest tracks. The Slieve Bloom Way is a circular trail through wooded glens.


Shannon Callows
North of Lough Derg, where the River Shannon has a very shallow gradient and in parts regularly floods its banks, the resultant wet grassland area is known as the Shannon Callows. This is an internationally renowned area for wild birds and wildlife in general.


Caher Murphy
An area of oakwood and rich fauna on the southern side of the Slieve Aughty mountains.


Ballyteigue
2 km west of the town of Lisdoonvarna at Ballyteigue, lies a wetland meadow sanctuary where traditional methods of haymaking are carried out which enables many species of wildlife to survive here.

 COASTAL

Shannon
The river Shannon and its flood plain inhabit much of northwest Offaly. In ancient times the river was the main means of communication. The best base for trips on the Shannon is either Birr or Banagher.

Rivers and Canals
The River Suck joins the Shannon at Shannonbridge. At Shannon Harbour, the River Brosna and the Grand Canal meet the Shannon. Flood plains abound in this area. Victoria Lock is a scenic location where the Shannon separates into two distinct channels.

Silver River , Cadamstown
The Silver River area at Cadamstown is a geological reserve.

 HISTORICAL

Birr Castle
This castle was originally a fortress of the O’Carrolls, but since then has been held by Normans and Cromwellians amongst others. It dominates the town and its walled demesne encloses a lake and the meeting place of the Little Brosna and Camcor rivers. It also boasts a fine wooded garden.


Clonmacnoise
Situated by the river Shannon, this site contains a cathedral, eight church ruins, two round towers, high crosses, monumental slabs and the remains of a castle. The medieval monastry was built in 545 by St. Ciaran and was famed for its scholarship.


Cloghan Castle
Located 3 miles south of the town of Banagher, Croghan Castle is an ancient fortress, reputed to have been built in the 13th century and set in an attractive parkland estate of over 60 acres.


Leap Castle
A late 15th century tower house located outside the town of Roscrea and close to the Slieve Bloom Mountains. The surrounding countryside is full of monuments from the past: a hill fort at Aghancon, a motte and bailey across the road from the castle, and many ring forts.


Castle Bernard
An early 19th century neo-tudor house situated in the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, in a small village called Kinnitty. On the terrace of the castle is a 9/10th century high cross.


Chareville Forest Castle
Designed by Francis Johnston in 1779, Chareville is a spectacular Georgian-Gothic mansion, surrounded by grounds and woodland.


Durrow Abbey
Founded by St. Colmcille, Durrow Abbey is located near Tullamore. The Book of Durrow was completed here. The grounds include a medieval church, a high cross and a graveyard.

 INTERIORS

Croghan Castle
Located 3 miles south of the town of Banagher. Inside, the castle has stark mediaeval stone walls, old oak furniture of colourful Georgian elegance, paintings and interesting artefacts. The great hall is 50 feet long and 40 feet high with a beautiful plaster ceiling and galleries at either end, and a 300 year old oak table.

 URBAN

Birr
An 18th-19th century town, noteable for its Georgian mansions and houses along its tree-lined malls and avenues. Birr is a designated Bord Failte ' Heritage Town' and Birr Castle and Demesne has one of Europe's finest ornamental gardens spread over 40 hectares. From this town you can explore the Shannon wetlands and the Slieve Blooms.


Tullamore
Surrounded by vast bogland and located at the meeting points of the N52 and N80, Tullamore was once a busy stop on the Grand Canal. The Williams Distillers produce “Irish Mist” whiskey here. The buildings of the town are Victorian in style.


Banagher
Banagher is a small tourist town on the Shannon. You can rent bikes to tour the area or boats to cruise the Shannon.

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